Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

A significant amount of work has been performed over the past 2 years furth er defining the pathophysiology of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The development of the biologic agent etanercept represents successful transla tional research. This genetically engineered fusion protein targets tumor n ecrosis factor, binding and inactivating this important component of inflam mation. This advance has been accompanied by refinements in classification, as well as further elucidation of the natural disease course of JIA. Recen t work continues to demonstrate the widespread nature of JIA, as well as it s severity in adulthood. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.